The premiere of the 'Pompey Overture' - a short piece of music composed by Hugh Carpenter, conductor of the Portsmouth Philharmonic to commemorate the club's 125th anniversary - will take place at the 125th anniversary concert for the club on December 10 (3pm).
Concert go-ers are also being encourage to wear club shirts or scarves, while ambassador Alan Knight MBE will be attending on behalf of the club and a shirt, signed by this season's squad, will be up for grabs in the raffle at the event.
Tickets for the concert at the Church of the Resurrection in Drayton, which is in aid of Pompey in the Community, are selling fast and pre-booking is advised. As well as the special overture, the orchestra will be playing Mendelssohn's Hebrides Overture, Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite No 2 and Schubert's fifth symphony in Bb Major.
Orchestra Chair Di Lloyd, who also plays the 'cello, said: "The 'Pompey Overture' is a catchy and jaunty piece of music with a memorable melody as well as some familiar Pompey fan refrains as well. I've been a fan myself for more than 40 years and I think it captures the spirit of the club perfectly," she said.
"Many of the orchestra members and supporters are Pompey fans themselves, so it is a huge honour and thrill to be doing this concert to celebrate the club's anniversary. We would love it if audience members came in Pompey shirts and scarves, " she added.
Colin Farmery, who chairs the club's 125th steering committee said: "One of the remits the committee were given was to reach out to the arts community in Portsmouth to help celebrate the club's anniversary, so I was delighted when the orchestra agreed to perform this concert, which will make money for a cause close to the club and every Pompey fan's heart.
"I'm really looking forward to hearing the 'Pompey Overture'. I've never heard of a professional football club ever having one composed in its honour before, so it could be we are unique."
Tickets, priced £10, are available from the orchestra's ticket partner Skiddle (booking fee applies) here: Charity Concert in aid of Pompey in the Community Tickets | Church Of The Resurrection Portsmouth | Sun 10th December 2023 Lineup (skiddle.com) or on the door on the day. Accompanied children are free.
More details are available at the orchestra's website www.portsmouthphilharmonic.org . Since it was founded in 2009, the orchestra has raised more than £20,000 for local charities.
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